630th Tank Destroyer Battalion

Unit History: Activated 15 December, 1941, at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. Disembarked in France from England on 24 July, 1944, with towed guns and entered the line near Colombieres. Advanced across France with the 28th Infantry Division to Luxembourg. Supported operations against the Siegfried Line in September–October. Operated in the Hürtgen Forest in November. Shifted to the Ardennes sector with the 28th Infantry Division in late November, still located there at start of German offensive in December. Shifted south to Colmar area in January 1945, where the 28th Infantry Division operated under French control. Returned north in mid-February only to redeploy south to the Saar region in mid-March, after which the battalion converted to the M36. Participated in the elimination of the Ruhr Pocket in April. Took up occupation duties at Zweibrücken on 28 April. Attached to: 17th Airborne Division; 13th Armored Division; 28th Infantry Division. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.

5.) Unit History - Written by Patrick Emmanuel shortly after returning home from the war. He was the former S-3 (Operations Officer) for the unit and, as a Major, was the Acting Commander of the unit on V-E Day. Provided courtesy of Beth Wilkinson.

6.) Early Battalion History - Covers activation of unit until they moved to Camp Rucker, AL, on Feb. 16, 1944. Provided courtesy of Jim Moore.

12.) Company A Group Photo - Photo is courtesy of Jim Moore, whose uncle, T.M. Hill, is shown in the second row from the top, 13th man from left. Ralph Malone is to the right of him, 14th man in the row.

13.) Company B Group Photo - Taken on April 18, 1942 at Fort Jackson, SC. Identified Officers shown left to right, 2nd Lt. Patrick G. Emmanuel, 1st Lt. Maurice H. Reich, Capt. Gerald D. Albrecht - Commanding, 2nd Lt. Edwin B. Watkins and 2nd Lt. Frank S. Ray. This list is not in the same order as shown on the photo but has been confirmed by Patrick Emmanuel. Thanks to Jim Moore for his assistance and Beth Wilkinson for providing the photo.

15.) Commendation from City of Colmar - To Commemorate the Liberation of the City of Colmar, France, the Mayor authorized all members of the Sixth Army Group (including the 630 TD Bn) to wear the Coat of Arms of the city. Courtesy of Jim Moore. Detail Image of the Colmar Patch provided by Rachel Hill and Jim Moore.